Back home

All About My Mother

1987 votes

Producing House

Following the tragic death of her teenage son, Manuela travels from Madrid to Barcelona in an attempt to contact the long-estranged father the boy never knew. She reunites with an old friend, an outspoken transgender sex worker, and befriends a troubled actress and a pregnant, HIV-positive nun.

movie

Status: Released

Released Date: 1999-04-16

Runtime: 101 mins

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Spoken language: Català, Español

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Original title: All About My Mother

Production Companies: El Deseo, Renn Productions, France 2 Cinéma

Production Countries: Spain, France

Reviews

G

Geronimo1967
When a tragedy occurs that profoundly impacts on “Manuela” (Cecilia Roth) she heads back to her old home in Barcelona to reunite with her estranged transgender husband (Toni Cantó) and share her bad news. Her arrival in the city sees her reconnect with her transvestite pal “Agrado” (the outstanding Antonio San Juan) and that’s the start of her enjoyably characterful journey through the city where her innate kindliness also seen encounters with many of the quirkiest of its residents - including “Sister Rosa” (Penélope Cruz) who happens to be a pregnant nun - and you’ll never guess who the father is! There’s also a struggling actress “Huma” (Marisa Paredes) who is having the wobbles ahead of a performance of “A Streetcar Named Desire” as well as some troubles with her younger pal “Nina” (Candela Peña) whose habit is starting to get a bit out of control. If you look at the all the ingredients here, it can seem a little contrived but the combination of a forceful and powerful effort from Roth and some creative flair from an on-form Pedro Almodóvar manages to create a series of scenarios that flow effortlessly from the seemingly sublime to the ridiculous whilst raising a few smiles along the way whilst dealing with some serious topics, like Alzheimer’s, grief and identity along the way. The photography is intimate and almost as mischievous as the writing that makes a series of points succinctly yet without ever becoming sentimental or sanctimonious. Team Almodóvar at it’s best, here.
2025-04-17

G

Geronimo1967
When a tragedy occurs that profoundly impacts on “Manuela” (Cecilia Roth) she heads back to her old home in Barcelona to reunite with her estranged transgender husband (Toni Cantó) and share her bad news. Her arrival in the city sees her reconnect with her transvestite pal “Agrado” (the outstanding Antonio San Juan) and that’s the start of her enjoyably characterful journey through the city where her innate kindliness also sees encounters with many of the quirkiest of it’s residents - including “Sister Rosa” (Penélope Cruz) who happens to be a pregnant nun - and you’ll never guess who the father is! There’s also a struggling actress “Huma” (Marisa Paredes) who is having the wobbles ahead of a performance of “A Streetcar Named Desire” as well as some troubles with her younger pal “Nina” (Candela Peña) whose habit is starting to get a bit out of control. If you look at the all of the ingredients here, it can seem a little contrived but the combination of a forceful and powerful effort from Roth and some creative flair from an on-form Pedro Almodóvar manages to create a series of scenarios that flow effortlessly from the seemingly sublime to the ridiculous whilst raising a few smiles along the way and dealing with some serious topics, like Alzheimer’s, grief and identity issues along the way. The photography is intimate and almost as mischievous as the writing that makes a series of points succinctly yet without ever becoming sentimental or sanctimonious. Team Almodóvar at it’s best, here.
2025-04-17

b

badelf
Of course, it's an Almodovar, so it's already a great film. But this one - the artistic shots, the characters, the story, the humanity - all top notch. I think this film might be his best.
2022-07-09

l

lmao7
This film got my attention right away because of the references to 2 of my fave old Hollywood films : All About Eve and Streetcar Named Desire. Melodramatic with a lil comedy. My fave scene when all 4 ladies were at the couch just chatting and laughing. I love all the characters (maybe not Nina). Agrado…for the win! Penelope…what a beautiful nun, so sad about her situation though. Huma, at first kinda off (as she didn’t give the autograph to the son) but as the movie went on, I liked her character more and more. And Cecilia, very empowering. At first, the other characters were supposed to be helping the mother but in the end, she was the one who helped all of them, in a way. Feel good dramatic film.
2017-03-17

Recommendations

The Escort
2.3

The Escort

2011-10-29

A story of a pragmatic escort who unexpectedly falls in love to one of his potential client.

Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
3.2

Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance

1974-06-15

Lady Snowblood is caught by the police and sentenced to death for her crimes. As she is sent to the

Private School
2.9

Private School

1983-06-29

Private-school student Christine loves Jim. But her classmate, Jordan, is also vying for Jim's atten

Coffee and Cigarettes
3.4

Coffee and Cigarettes

2004-03-12

An anthology of eleven vignettes featuring star-studded casts of extremely unique individuals who al

Andrei Rublev
4

Andrei Rublev

1966-12-16

An expansive Russian drama, this film focuses on the life of revered religious icon painter Andrei R

Apur Sansar
4

Apur Sansar

1959-05-01

Apu, now a jobless ex-student dreaming vaguely of a future as a writer, is invited to join an old co

Aparajito
4

Aparajito

1956-10-11

Apu and his family have moved away from the country to live in the bustling holy city of Benares. As

City Lights
4.1

City Lights

1931-02-06

A tramp falls in love with a beautiful blind flower girl. His on-and-off friendship with a wealthy m

The Great Dictator
4.2

The Great Dictator

1940-10-15

Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecu

Do the Right Thing
3.9

Do the Right Thing

1989-06-14

Salvatore "Sal" Fragione is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggi

Rififi
3.9

Rififi

1955-04-13

Out of prison after a five-year stretch, jewel thief Tony turns down a quick job his friend Jo offer

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
4.1

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

1964-01-29

After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room f

The Gold Rush
4

The Gold Rush

1925-07-13

A gold prospector in Alaska struggles to survive the elements and win the heart of a dance hall girl

Spartacus
3.8

Spartacus

1960-10-13

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. A

Paths of Glory
4.1

Paths of Glory

1957-10-25

A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within t

Sweet Smell of Success
3.8

Sweet Smell of Success

1957-07-04

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his B

Irreversible
3.6

Irreversible

2002-05-22

A woman’s lover and her ex-boyfriend take justice into their own hands after she becomes the victim

The Man Who Would Be King
3.8

The Man Who Would Be King

1975-12-03

Tired of life as soldiers, Peachy Carnehan and Danny Dravot travel to the isolated land of Kafirista

Live Flesh
3.5

Live Flesh

1997-10-10

When Victor attempts to seduce Elena, all he gets for his trouble is a one-way, six-year ticket to p

The Silence of the Lambs
4.2

The Silence of the Lambs

1991-02-14

Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to int